The Effect of TLS Radome on GNSS Precise Positioning

Abstract

This article presents the results of a test carried out to check the usability of spherical TLS targets as GNSS antenna radomes (herein called TLS radomes). On different days, the survey was conducted using two GNSS antennas, one of them with a TLS radome. Measurements were made using 2 roof pillars on the rooftop as base-rover pillars with little obstruction. The measurements were carried out for approximately 1 hour in every scenario. The software used for data processing is MATLAB-based software and the raw data were processed using the double difference (DD) strategy to obtain optimal results. The results of the data processing indicated that the TLS radome has no significant influence on availability and accuracy of estimated position. The signals are slightly attenuated by the radome (1-2 dBHz) and the noise level is slightly increased but both effects are negligible for practical purposes. However, we found that the antenna should be calibrated with the TLS radome to clarify apparent minor phase center eccentricities (1-2 mm) and to reduce systematic effects with long periods (few minutes) and amplitudes up to about 5 mm which are likely due to phase center variations.